GOP State Senator Wants To Reinstate Penalties For Underage Marijuana And Alcohol Use In New Jersey

New Jersey Sen. Declan O'Scanlon (R) proposed a bill to reinstate penalties for people under 21 caught possessing or using cannabis and alcohol, reported TAPinto.

Under the measure that legalized recreational cannabis over two years ago, marijuana was deemed illegal for minors, O'Scanlon noted, but with less strict punishments.

"Despite this clear directive from voters, when legislation was later enacted to formally legalize cannabis, which I opposed due to the bill's rampant flaws, it basically eliminated any penalties for underage use or possession of not only cannabis but alcohol as well," he said.

Under the current law, minors caught using or possessing alcohol or cannabis products are given a written warning and the minor's parents are notified.

If someone breaks the law a third time, they are referred to community services, though declining them is not punishable.

However, with the new legislation, O'Scanlon wants to impose a $500 fine for those under 21 who break the law. 

"We must send a clear message that alcohol and cannabis are still illegal for underage consumption and those who violate the law will be held accountable," O'Scanlon said of the bill he wants to introduce. "This bill would reinstate the penalties for underage drinking and cannabis use that, for many years, were effective in containing the problems we are seeing today."

Sen O'Scanlon Wants To Regulate Delta-8 THC Products As Well

Meanwhile, a separate measure from O'Scanlon and Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz (D) that aims to regulate the controversial delta-8 products that are widely sold across the state is advancing through legislature.

The bill, S3944, was recently approved by New Jersey Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.

"Delta-8 THC is an unregulated, psychoactive hemp-derived product that is being sold at gas stations, pharmacies, and bodegas across New Jersey," O'Scanlon said. "It's the bathtub gin of the cannabis space and it's being sold to kids without any of the restrictions or product safety regulations required under New Jersey's recreational adult-use cannabis law. Our bill addresses these concerns by subjecting Delta-8 THC to the same regulatory framework as other cannabis products in New Jersey."

Photo: Courtesy of 2H Media on Unsplash